3 months ago I found out from my doctor that I've been living with Bipolar Disorder. I would normaly post in the bi polar section but it seems kinda old since anyones posted.

Now I'm on the medication needed to treat this disorder I must say " this is what a normal person should feel like." I had this dis order for as long as I can remember. I knew something wasn't right when I have my whole world to appreciate and had everything going for me. Everything in this world a man could want and die for and I just didn't feel right. I had so many Aces and I just couldn't seem to win. The whole time I felt like I was bluffing but all my cards were picture perfect.

Anyone out there suffered like I have and want to share? I found my silver bullet and I'm on a speedy recovery to get back the life I had and free me from this disability.

Can a person live a healthy normal life with this disorder? before I was on this medication (depakote) I couldn't handle trauma or heavy stresses. I would freak out and fall apart many times over and over again. Now nothing can stop me. My beloved mother just died suddenly 4 weeks ago and I'm handling it pretty well. I feel lots of pain and loss but I'm calm and collective and not in my crazy mode. I still grieved like all people but I'm not consumed with extreme feelings that would knock me flat out for days.

The only side effect with this drug is that I gained 30 pounds in 3 months. If i could lose the pounds somehow thatd be great.

Good for you and your doctor. For me, the older term, Manic/Depressive is much more fitting. I haven't found anything that lets me be what most people would call normal, but what I am taking has lessened the sensations without too much loss of necessary emotions. I still struggle with the down part every day. Some days are better than others. I gave up wanting to be what others call normal years ago. I am content to stay in the semi-depressed state rather than risk the unbelievable lows that I was experiencing. People who haven't experienced this disorder just don't understand how much it can affect a person's life.

Normal? What is normal? Anyone have a "normal life"? Normal is such a bad word, there really is no such creature, each and everyone of us carries our own set of luggage, do our own thing - make everything work and get through to the next day.

You can be a functioning individual running your program of life within nominal parameters Meaning it will ultimately be your life and that will be unique in every aspect thus it will be "normal" for you - understand?

Manic/Depressive is what I got then. I hated the lows. There be a party and I wouldn't show up and hang with some really important people and friends. My sister would throw these huge lavish parties with the best cuisine and wine and spirits every weekend for years. She'd call every weekend to invite and I never returned her calls.I love my sister don't get me wrong it's just that I was so depressed to a point where I couldn't move. I couldn't snap out of the spin I was in. I just stayed in my dark house smoking weed to escape and not do a single thing all day and night for days at a time. Trying to run away from something that's ultimately going to catch me in the end.

When I'm not depress I'm the life of the party and warm up to strangers real easily. If you met me you'd be my friend forever or never forget me. I'm hilarious at making people laugh with my quick thinking and funny conversations. Just blow people away when I talk about life and how it works in this universe. It was like I was high without any drugs thinking this is the real me. expect the unexpected was my personality I thought.

Now I know not to take the pills when the manic phase kicks in. I wanna have some crazy fun. I didn't know that's what it was the so called "manic" phase. All along I thought that was who I was. I felt like some badass super hero or something like that. Looking back I had all the symptoms but never put two and two together until now.

Now I know it's not my fault I let people who depended on me down. I would get the gig that would pay me well The job was so easy the people who hired me knew I was one of the best. The job was mine and I wouldn't show up . while the producers stressed out vowing never to hire me again. But I have a way of getting into peoples hearts. I'm so good to people but when I let em down someone gets fired.

As for the word normal, Youre right thats what I meant about living..... Just livng again without a deathwish.

I was just looking around here since it has been a couple weeks since I have visited and came across your post....KungFu..I have been thru it when it comes to Bipolar Disorder and meds.I was "offically" diagnosed about 4 yrs ago. I was fisrt diagnosed by my family Doctor as just having "normal" depression.At that time I was switched from med to med to med...when I finally got to my current doctor the old doc had me on 15 pills a day.Needless to say none of them were the right ones!! Once I was diagnosed properly and put onto the right meds,I now take5 pills a day. And my experience (which I am sure is different with everyone) is that it is a combination of 3 different meds that keep me "on track".I take Eskalith (lithium) I also take Lamictal and Depakote.However I was only put on the Depakote because I was having migraines and this med has stopped them.I feel normal...if there is such a thing.Over the last year I have had some very hard times with 4 deaths of loved ones.That was a little much for me to handle on my own.I was put on Xanax but I try not to take them unless I feel that I absolutly need to.As far as the weight gain...I got that too.I walk 3 miles a day and try to watch what I eat.Then I have to realize that age and having 2 kids takes a toll on what your body looks like too. Good Luck

Well, I am bipolar also. I also have ADD disorder. It has effected my life for years..but, i guess im still in denial of it and taking meds for it so THEY tell me anyhow. Whos to know who to believe really. I come from a really big family and with a dad for a doctor and my brother is a dentist so they all seem to know what is and isn't good for me all the time. I did complete my RN degee but, have not been able to work for sometime now.
My meds have been changed frequently over the years. I lost alot of weight too from stress disorder and all of this im sure. So hopefully you will at the very least know there is people out here that are the same as you and have alot of problems at times with life and dealing with ohters also...my email is in my profile here if you ever want to talk..or anyone for that matter. Great to meet both of you.

I have been diagnosed with anxiety/depression and been on so many meds to "fix" it, that I feel like a pharmacy. I still never go a whole day without feeling off or not right. I'm 22, have had to drop out of 3 colleges because I'm sick so often and can't keep a job. No one understands whats its like and why we can't snap out of it. Luckily, I have amazing friends and family that try their hardest to accomidate my situation. Its amazing once you open up about your problems, how many other people will admit that they have it too. It pretty freeing. And I also gained a lot of weight with my meds. I have been trying for a while to get it off, but it seems close to impossible for me. Let me know if you find the secret!

Yes I know how you feel. I dropped out of many schools. I kept thinking I was a failure. Now I know failure is when you give up.I kept trying and trying. And I kept moving from one job to the other. So frustrated with having to be on time and the lows kept me from going to work I had to do what I had to do to survive. I've had over 30 different jobs in my life time and im only 33. As far as the weight gain thing... The secret is working out every day. Excercise. The weight gain I don't mind its the sexual side effects i'm trying to overcome.